I think that EH sounded average at this show. not as bad as the previous review makes you think, but they are not as energetic at this show as they would be at a 5 star show, so i give it 3 stars.

Finally got around to listening to this recording, and now I know why most folks haven't been talking about it. What a crappy performance! If I would have drove all the way to Kansas and saw that show, I would have been extremly BUMMED out. I believe this is the first performance after Hookahville, and what a stinker.

It sounds like EH doesn't even want to be there, even Steve's solo's are not very enthusiastic. Everything song sounded rushed, especially "When The Sun Goes Down." The "Lax" was not too bad, but what a bummer. Usually the performances after Hookahville are better then Hookahville, looks like the mold has been broken. Actually, the only part of the band that sounds really good is the drums/percussion. Eric & Johnny are on, and are sounding really tight. Kudos Eric & Johnny. Could "A Better Man" have been any more of a teeth puller? Right from the begining you want this song to end. Extremly B-O-A-R-I-N-G!! That songs just continues to go no where at all.

The "John Henry" was a bit different. A little bit of a dark intro, but Cliff's vocals are not clean at all. Again, rushed, very rushed. "Never to Return" certainly has great potential to be something HUGE, and this song is certainly Ed getting back to ROCK. These weak love tunes, and long drawn out tunes have not been choice at all. Nice that Ed is getting back to some deep, dark, rock 'n roll! Usually when "Ecstacy" ends the show, you are in for a rock out, and they just seemed to blow right threw it.

The keys sound very, very lazy the whole show. Is Ed even there, I hear him singing, but his playing is very blah, even in "Never to Return." Most shows this year have been sweet, and it looks like a bad show made it into the mix. Hopefully next weeks performance at the scene is better, you'd hope so in front of the home town crowd. Oh, and this is definately one of the best sounding recordings from this year. The rig is sick, B&K 4011's(FOB:ORTF)>V3>D8>M1. You can't get too much better then that as far as live recording goes. I give this show 2 out of 5 stars.


Have a Grateful day,

Michael